Jael had never been allowed to trick-or-treat or celebrate what her parents dubbed, the devils holiday, but she never really minded. When she was younger she’d often felt left out when kids at school talked about dressing up like monsters and going door-to-door begging for candy. Tonight she was confronting real monsters and knew they wouldn’t be pacified by sweets. They were out for blood. Hers.
The moon slipped behind clouds as she stared down the road, waiting. Twin dots of light glowed in the distance like the eyes of a snake, weaving along the ground, closer and closer, until they popped over the last hill. Full-blown headlights. The truck pulled to the side of the road facing them and the lights shut off. Her parents were here.
They didn’t waste time talking but flew into motion. She helped her uncle move the weapons from the back of the SUV into the backseat of the car for easy access. Her mom and dad stood by, faces grim and stoic as they realized their teaching days were over and this was the day they’d all been anticipating and dreading at the same time. She would either survive intact to fully become the Chosen or she would fail and all her training would count for nothing. Since she would most likely be dead as well, that scenario was not an option. She picked up the crossbow and one of the special arrows her dad had fashioned out of hardened oak.
“One of these is reserved for that creepy guy on the phone. In fact, I wish I had some holy oil to anoint the tip. I’d light it up and send him to hell in half the time.”
“Stay centered, Jael,” her dad said, reaching out to push a lock of hair away from her face. “You’ll never beat these creatures if you let your emotions take over. I know it’s hard with your friend involved, but you have to concentrate like we practiced. Let God work through you.”
“Right,” she said, her hand tightening around the arrow. Straight and true. She lowered it to her side and drew a deep breath. It had been a while since she’d thought about God and what part he played in her life. But he obviously put her in this position, so he wouldn’t let her fail, would he? “I’ll be fine, Dad. Everybody else does their part and I’ll be as centered as a scorpion’s tail – and just as deadly.”
“That’s the spirit,” Seth said and slapped his brother on the back. “See, you’ve got nothing to worry about.” He took the crossbow and arrows from Jael and placed them carefully in the backseat beside the pile of stakes and other things she’d asked her parents to bring.
Her dad pushed the little button that lit up the face of his watch, his mouth grim. He turned and showed the time to her mom. “What time is it?” Jael asked. Brianna’s life depended on punctuality tonight and she wouldn’t let her down.
“2:53,” her dad said, and cleared his throat.
Her mom moved forward and pulled Jael into a crushing embrace. She finally eased back and pressed her cheek, damp with tears, next to Jael’s, and whispered in her ear, “I have confidence in you, Jael. I know you will succeed tonight. And later you will help put an end to the bondage of the Amish community at Loon Lake. May God go with you and give you strength.”
Jael pulled her bottom lip in and held it between her teeth. She felt fresh tears wet her cheek as her mom continued to press close. The words sounded like a benediction and it scared her. She drew back and looked into her face. “Mom, I’ll be fine. Really. You don’t have to worry.”
She responded with a weak smile and nod, her eyes glistening in the dim starlight. “I know.”
“Then why are you saying all this? As though you won’t ever see me again?”
“Miriam, we should get going. We’ve only got ten minutes left.” Her dad’s low baritone was strangely comforting on the night air. He put an arm around each of them and kissed the tops of their heads. “Me and my two girls. The three Musketeers. We can do this.”
“Hey,” Seth grouched behind them. “What about me?”
“Sorry, Uncle Seth. There can be only three.” She grinned back at him.
“So much for family.”
Without another word, they broke apart and headed for separate vehicles. Seth started the car and Jael pulled her door closed. She watched her mom turn and glance back at her before she climbed into the passenger seat of the SUV and her dad pulled out onto the road. Jael felt a lump form in her throat. She shook off the niggling feeling of doom and closed her eyes. God help me.
They drove a mile further down the road, pulled off onto a sandy trail and continued without headlights down a gully below the train tracks. Seth parked behind a pile of rocks and shut off the engine.
“This is it. Are you ready?” he asked without turning to look at her. He dropped his hands from the steering wheel and grasped the handle of the door.
“Uncle Seth?” She tugged on his sleeve.
“Yeah?”
“Why are you guys all acting like you think I’m going to die or something?”
“We’re not…”
“Yes, you are. Mom and Dad said goodbye as if it was the last time they’d ever see me. And you won’t even look me in the eye. Be straight with me already!” she demanded.
He slumped back against the seat. “They’re worried your training won’t be enough. That without…” he paused and glanced her way, clear disappointment in his eyes. “You’ve passed the hour of your birth and nothing’s changed.”
She expelled the breath of a laugh. “So I was supposed to receive some special powers or something and God forgot to bestow them on me? Is that what you think? Great.” She thrust the door open and climbed out.
Seth didn’t move.
Jael leaned back in the car. “Well don’t just sit there,” she said just above a whisper so that it didn’t carry on the still night air. “We have vamps to stake.”
A slow smile turned up his lips and he climbed out too.
Her dad had fashioned her a leather tool belt with enough loops to hold six stakes, two on each side and two in the back. She slipped it on around her waist and filled every loop with a pointy, carved stake. Inside the top of each of her boots she slipped a four-inch blade. She picked up the crossbow. If this wasn’t enough firepower…
Seth was supposed to wait until the vamps were separated, then drive the car directly into the battle, snatch Brianna out of danger and get away. Jael would stay and fight to the death. Hers or theirs. Didn’t matter as long as her friends and family were safe once and for all.
She put the hood up on her sweatshirt to conceal her face in the dark. “What ever happens,” she said adjusting her belt without looking up, “you get Brianna out of here and meet up with Mom and Dad. This time you leave town and never come back.” When he didn’t answer she turned around. He leaned against the rear of the car, arms folded, his face fully shadowed under the bill of his cap. She couldn’t make out his expression but his shoulders slumped more than usual. Had he already given up? Didn’t he have any confidence in her at all? What was all of this about anyway?
“You trained me for sixteen years and now because I haven’t been given the gift of jumping tall buildings or being able to fly faster than a speeding bullet, I’m no longer a viable slayer? What’s wrong with you, Uncle Seth? If God set me to this task as you and my parents believe, then believe he can use me now, with or without super powers.”
He pushed away from the car and stepped forward, shaking his head. “I’m sorry, kiddo. You’re right.” He placed his hands on her shoulders, holding her at arms length. “Second-guessing God is a mistake. He tends to manage things His own way, in His own time.” He smiled. “You do what you do best and I’ll get Brianna out of here. I promise.”
“Good.” She slipped the strap of the leather quiver over her head and adjusted it on her back for easy access. “When I give the signal you better be ready.”
Jael turned and slipped into the shadows.
Chapter 28
Blood is thicker than water